Thank You PLN

Twelve months ago I didn’t know how to spell PLN, let alone what the term Personal Learning Network meant. At the end of an amazing year of professional development, I’d like to thank everyone in my PLN for connecting with me, sharing expertise and resources, and encouraging me to keep learning, improving and trying out new things. At the risk of omitting someone, there are some people I’d like to specifically thank (don’t read anything into the order in which they are listed below). Each of these people or groups has helped me to try new things and learn, and has been constantly generous.

Jane Hart – You have been my guide to becoming a Social Learning Practitioner. Your SLPP Program has given me a path to follow as I have taken my first steps in online social learning. This has completely changed how I approach my professional development, and helped me to build new skills to apply in my work. I will always look back fondly on our October brunch with a group of Sydney-based learning practitioners.

Harold Jarche – I enjoyed your Personal Knowledge Management (PKM) workshop at the AITD 2014 National Conference and the online PKM in 40 days program. Your Seek-Sense-Share framework has helped me to build regular practices that give me confidence that I can manage my knowledge amidst the deluge of online content. From you I also learned to trust in serendipity to connect me with the people and ideas that make a difference as I need them.

John Stepper – Thank you for the opportunity to review Working Out Loud and your encouragement to set up a WOL Circle. Above all, thank you for role modelling the openness and generosity which you prescribe as essential to build an impactful network.

Charles Jennings – You introduced me to the 702010 framework several years ago, and I have continued to learn from the resources you publish. These resources have also helped me to broaden my organisation’s understanding of 702010 and willingness to try new things to improve workplace learning.

702010 Forum – Thank you Heather Rutherford, Andrew Gerkens, and the Forum team for your ongoing work building the 702010 Forum. Your resources have accelerated improvement of learning in my business. To those forum members who have participated in community activities and webinars, keep it up as it is through those interactions that we learn more. I’m looking forward to the certification program being launched early in 2015.

Jane Bozarth – Show Your Work is a delicious book – so much so that I bought it twice (had to replace it as someone Stole Your Work from my desk!). You were one of the first people to open my eyes to the value of social media for learning when I saw you speak at an AITD Conference several years ago. Thank you for every time you have responded to a mention in my tweets. I look forward to helping out with #lrnbook next year.

Helen Blunden – You inspire me. You role model many things for me – independent learning, collaboration, community-building. Your energy, passion and positive outlook are infectious. I am excited about the work we are doing together on CCA’s Work, Connect and Learn program and look forward to continuing our partnership. Thank you also for founding Third Place – the Meet Ups have been invaluable for me to deepen relationships with Australian learning professionals.

My Ozlearn buddies – Thank you Con Sotidis for founding OzLearn. The monthly Twitter chats have attracted some top global learning leaders. There is a big overlap with the Third Place network and many people I have most contact with online participate in both groups – Ryan Tracey who is always quietly supportive; Tanya Lau who ensures everyone feels welcome, and is authentic and curious; Matt Guyan who works out loud with generosity; and Vanessa North who challenges, extends and amuses me.

Elizabeth Robinson and the AITD team – I appreciated the opportunity to speak and write for the Australian Institute of Training & Development this year. Than you for the good work you are doing to enhance the AITD’s services and events.

Anne Bartlett-Bragg – When I think of innovation I think of you. Thank you for your generosity when I was seeking input on a SharePoint design question earlier in the year. It was the first time I went to my Twitter network with a specific request for help and you responded.

Mark Britz – Gosh I enjoy our little conversations on Twitter. I feel like a kindred spirit, trying to make a difference to performance via social on opposite sides of the globe. I always enjoy reading your blog posts – they are thought-provoking and well-written. You encourage me to keep it real, although your Halloween avatar was a little freaky.

Rachel Burnham – My PKM in 40 days buddy. You are another prodigious sharer, and encourage me to keep reading, learning and tending to my veggie patch. I loved your Seek-Sense-Share drawing.

Rachel Burnham’s diagram of Harold Jarche’ Seek-Sense-Share PKM Model

Sacha Chua – I dip in and out of your blog, always curious about your semi-retirement experiment. Your example of living consciously and creatively inspire me. I love your Sketchnotes and aim to develop the skill to create my own sketch notes in 2015, although I shall give EMACS a miss.

Lynette Curtis and Justine Jardine – You made me feel less like a lone voice in the wilderness within our organisation and encouraged me to keep going. Thank you.

Jeff Maguire – Thank you for your unwavering trust and support as I brought new ideas and approaches to our organisation this year. I appreciate the autonomy, the space to experiment and learn by trying things out, and your confidence in me.

I second Ryan’s sentiments! Thank you for such a beautiful and thoughtful reflection on the people you have connected with and the difference they have made. Honoured to be mentioned. I’ve had a similar PLN-mind-expanding year, developing relationships with local L&D peeps like yourself through Third Place & Ozlearn – & also connections with broader communities > I’m really loving Bruno’s PKMChat and it’s always so lovely to see you there – it’s strangely heartwarming to see someone from your local PLN in the context of a global chat, and I’m always glad to see you there.
Finally I really admire your focus and how you well you make use of what you learn from your PLN to continually improve what you do professionally – and moreover – to share what you’re doing and learning. Have a fantastic holiday and look forward to working with you in our wol circle next year!

One of the best things about Twitter is the way it makes my world bigger and smaller at the same time. Thank you for the lovely shout out all the way to the USA. Looking forward to working on #lrnbk with you in 2015!